Proud Greek Australians Haris Strangas and Kyriakos Panayi, long-time locals of the Sutherland Shire in Sydney, New South Wales, are running for the upcoming council election on September 14.
The Sutherland Shire, in the south of Sydney, has a huge Greek influence, with its large number of Greek Australian residents, its local parish St Stylianos in Gymea, as well as many cafes, food stores and other businesses, which are owned by Greeks throughout the area. Greek is the second most language spoken at home in the Sutherland Shire Local Government Area (LGA) – after English.
Mr Strangas and Mr Panayi have a close affiliation with the Sutherland Shire, as both men have small businesses in the area. Mr Strangas’ family own the Sylvania-based seafood business Poseidon’s Harvest, and Mr Panayi owns the well-known Christopher’s Cake Shops, whose portfolio includes shops in Miranda and Kirrawee. Also, while Mr Strangas has grown up working in the Shire from a young age, Mr Panayi has lived in the Shire for over 25 years and is proudly raising his family in the region.
Both Liberal candidates in C Ward now plan on giving back to a vibrant community they both admire, by helping residents with lower rates and better services.
“We are passionate about small business and people enjoying what they really love about the Shire – its high quality of life,” Mr Strangas said.
“I am committed to creating a positive legacy for future generations and I want to contribute to the area, which has given my family and I so much,” Mr Panayi added.
Their aim is to see businesses supported by Council cutting red tape, and they also want to ensure sport fields are upgraded and to have the capital works program increased.
“In terms of delivery, there are a few major projects for C Ward that we would love to kick start this term of Council. These include the revitalisation of Oyster Bay and its surrounding waterways, the Gwawley Bay Oval masterplan, the Sylvania Waters Athletics Track masterplan, as well as a Jannali Town Centre upgrade,” Mr Strangas said.
“We want to be known as being accessible, hardworking, and dedicated councillors. Our doors will always be open to our community, and we will always strive to make the Shire an amazing place to live,” Mr Panayi concluded.
